Young Syrians dream of home

Illustrations by displaced Syrian children reflect the sadness and homesickness they feel.

Mon Jan 18 2016 07:33:45 GMT+0000

Abdullah El-Omer, 15, poses with a sign that says: "I want an end to the destruction in Syria," at a barber shop where he works in the Midyat refugee camp in Mardin province, Turkey. [Umit Bektas/Reuters]

Syria's conflict has left hundreds of thousands dead and pushed millions more into exile. The conflict has also had a profound effect on the children who lost their homes or got caught up in the bloodshed.

Drawings of young refugees living in Turkey illustrate their memories of home and hopes for their future.

The pictures also point to the scars borne by 2.3 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey, more than half of them children.

Tesnim Faydo, 8, shows her drawing of a mother crying for her wounded daughter, as she is surrounded by her friends in Yayladagi refugee camp near the Turkish-Syrian border, Turkey. [Umit Bektas/Reuters]

Esma El-Gureyb, 18, holds a paper bearing writing in Arabic that reads: “My request to you is, return us back to our homeland. Let the war and destruction end; Let us live in peace, without fear and devastation. I beg you: Return me to my homeland." At the Midyat refugee camp in Mardin province, Turkey. [Umit Bektas/Reuters]

Ali Ristmo, 7, shows his drawing depicting a mosque during a lesson with his classmates at the Yayladagi refugee camp in Hatay province, Turkey. [Umit Bektas/Reuters]

Meryem Mahmo, 14, shows a drawing of her home during a carpet weaving workshop in Midyat refugee camp in Mardin province, Turkey. The Arabic writing on the picture reads: "Let's return home. I miss you Syria." [Umit Bektas/Reuters]

Islem Halife, 11, shows a drawing of her home in Syria as she sits in a classroom where she learns the Koran at the Nizip refugee camp in Gaziantep province, Turkey. The writing in Arabic in the drawing reads, "God is great." [Umit Bektas/Reuters]

Ahmet Cemal, 12, shows a drawing of home as his mother and his two brothers sit next to him in their tent in Nizip refugee camp in Gaziantep province, Turkey. [Umit Bektas/Reuters]

Kamer Topalca, 18, holds a sign that reads: "My god save us. Let us to return back to our homeland safely and live happily" at the Yayladagi refugee camp in Hatay province near the Turkish-Syrian border, Turkey. [Umit Bektas/Reuters]

Rahaf Hasan, 10, poses as she holds a drawing of her home in Syria at the Midyat refugee camp in Mardin province, Turkey. [Umit Bektas/Reuters]